Mint German Cross in Gold – 134

Product Description: Super Mint German Cross in Gold by the firm of Otto Klein, that could be a highlight of an advanced collection of German combat awards. The cross is a lightweight version, that is completely original and textbook, with a CupAl base. The cross back plate rivets still retain their original dark factory burnishing which is rarely seen. The cross is marked on the center of the reverse of this impressive award with the Präsidialkanzlei number “134,” indicating manufacture by the firm of Otto Klein. The front star burst area of the cross is perfectly darkened; the gold wreath is beautifully gilded with it’s factory burnished highlights The center disc is nearly perfectly white and the center enameled swastika is also perfect with no damage or scratches. One of these badges are rare in their own righ,t let alone a Mint German Cross in Gold example!

Historical Description: The German Cross in Gold was instituted on September 28^th, 1941.  The German High Command saw it necessary to create an award which would bridge the gap between the Iron Cross First Class and the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  Once instituted, the German Cross became Germany’s second highest military decoration, second only to the Knights Cross and its subsequent grades.  The German Cross was similar to the Knights Cross in regards that the award was not based off of any previous awards in German history.  It was a unique creation which also ended with the war.  There were approximately 26,000 recipients of the German Cross in Gold.  This number, however, does not reflect the total amount of German Crosses produced.

The German Cross was actually not a cross at all. It took on the form of an eight-pointed star, resembling some of the former breast awards of the Imperial era.  The award came in two forms, a metal version and a cloth version.  The metal version being the most complex of the two, it consisted of five separate pieces being fitted and held together using four to twelve rivets depending on who the manufacturer was. The cloth version follows the exact same design as the metal produced version except the entire cross is cloth with the exception of the laurel wreath still being metal.

Known Manufacturers: Deschler & Sohn, Munchen; C.E. Juncker, Berlin; C.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim; Gebruder Godet, Berlin; Otto Klein, Hanau

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